In a protest rally today in Makati, members of the militant Kilusang
Magbubukid ng Pilipinas together with members of the International Alliance
Against Agrochemical Transnational Corporations (IAAATNCs) issued a closure
order on Monsanto as a symbolic protest against the on-going Bt corn field
testing being undergone by the agrochem giant. The closure order was issued
after Monsanto together with other agrochemical TNCs were found guilty
of the following crimes: genocide, plunder of environmental resources,
devastation of the environment and destruction of productive forces.

"The farmers are outraged by how greed-driven these agrochem transnational
corporations are. The monopoly of these agrochem giants over seeds,
pesticides, and other agricultural products are driving us further into
poverty, hunger and exploitation." Rafael Mariano, KMP chairperson said.

The symbolic closure of Monsanto coincides with simultaneous protest
actions in Bicol, Isabela and Bukidnon where Bt corn field testing are
currently being conducted in these provinces. Monsanto has won the ire
of millions of farmers in the country after it started conducting field
testing of genetically-engineered Bt corn without holding any public consultations
in affected areas and despite the approval of board resolutions and issuance
of moratoria banning field testing in some of these provinces.

"Despite its negative effects on people's health, the environment and
livelihood, Monsanto continue to reap profits from the people's sweat and
blood aside from the fact that these moves are threatening the country's
food security and food self-sufficiency. We don't need their lab-grown
food and products. We demand our right to land and food without poisons!"
Mariano added.

The protest action is part of the week-long activity of the IAAATNCs
which will culminate when the members and delegates, both local and foreign,
will join the national protest on December 10 for the International Human
Rights Day.

SANTOS CITY, Nov 23: A stricter security measure would be put in place
by a multi-national seed firm here when it undertakes another field trial
of the controversial Bacillus Thuringensis (Bt) corn... The trial farm
would be located on a half-hectare lot which will be sealed ­ off using
double eight-foot walls using plain iron sheets and barbed wires at five
meters apart. A more secured trial farm is being set up, Parreno said,
to prevent what had happened to a Bt trial farm in Tampakan, South Cotabato,
which was destroyed by members of militant groups in August, this year.
Paraiso barangay chair Sergio Morales assured that the Tampakan incident
would not be repeated in the trial farm in his barangay. Aside from the
high walls, a watchtower and guard-houses would be built in the four corners
of the trial farm. Morales said Monsanto would employ barangay residents
as security guards of the trial farm backed by a civilian volunteers' organization.
(PNA)